Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations

Dedicated jobs taskforce set to turn WA into a global LNG hub

14/03/2018 9:55 AM

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Premier announces plan to establish a LNG Jobs Taskforce

The liquefied natural gas industry supports thousands of jobs across the State

LNG is WA's second most valuable commodity with sales of $12.7 billion in 2016-17

The McGowan Labor Government will ensure Western Australia leads the way and becomes a global LNG hub, helping to create new long-term job opportunities focused on servicing, maintaining and improving existing operations.

Announcing plans to establish a LNG Jobs Taskforce at the 2018 Australasian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference today, Premier Mark McGowan said the taskforce would consist of members from both industry and government.

The taskforce will aim to establish Western Australia as a LNG hub, with both industry and government working collaboratively to maximise the benefits that flow from the local LNG industry.

Western Australia's share of the nation's LNG export capacity by late 2018 will be about 57 per cent, or close to 50 million tonnes, with LNG volumes having increased by 84 per cent in the past five years.

The taskforce will focus on harnessing the job opportunities the LNG industry can be providing the WA community, including new technology, education and maintenance services. Further details and the members of the taskforce will be announced in coming months.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"WA jobs are my number one priority, and the creation of this jobs taskforce will make sure we build on our existing LNG industry to create more long-term local jobs.

"Australia is set to have the world's largest LNG export capacity by mid-2018, surpassing Qatar, so now is the time for our State to act and become a global hub.

"As we build on our existing LNG operations, courses could be provided by education and training providers that align with the needs of industry, ensuring young Western Australians get the skills required for future job opportunities.

"Oil and gas projects help drive our economy, generating jobs in the industry and revenue with flow-on effects to the rest of the economy."